KITTIE

KITTIE's Morgan Lander: "There Is So Much More Going On Now Musically"


The following update has been posted at the KITTIE website:

Kittie are currently in Retro Media Sound Studio in Red Bank, New Jersey, recording their fourth full-length release.

Industry veteran producer Jack Ponti, who has worked with BON JOVI, DORO, BATON ROUGE and ALICE COOPER, will produce the record. The album will be released on Kittie’s own label, Kiss Of Infamy. Kevin Shirley, who has worked with JIMMY PAGE, as well as SLAYER, METALLICA, IRON MAIDEN and DREAM THEATER, will mix the album.

“Starting our own label is an amazing feeling,” said guitarist/vocalist Morgan Lander. “We have always been entrepreneurs of sorts, so this path really made sense. I cannot tell you how lucky we are that Jack chose to come out of retirement to do this album with us. He taught us a lot about recording, about how less is always more, about improving sound with different microphone placement, and the importance of focusing on one song at a time. Jack is also a master at arranging vocal harmonies, which is something we have never really experimented with.”

“This album has so many more dimensions than anything we have ever done before,” said Lander. “The harmonies are huge and lush, and the guitars are crushing and complex all at the same time. The bass is smooth and complimentary to the ridiculously fast and precise drums and allows the song to just open up. There is so much more going on now musically rather than two guitars playing the same riffs.”

Some of the song titles for the album are:
'Never Again',
'Funeral For Yesterday',
'The Change', 'Breathe',
'Last Goodbye',
'Slow Motion',
'Flowers Of Flesh And Blood'.

“This album is sort of a concept album in a way,” said Lander. “All of the songs were written over a period of about a year and a half and they all revolve around dying, death, and the promise of resurrection. The subject matter is a direct result of what Mercedes and I were going through personally and professionally these past few years - dealing with life on the road, personnel changes, deceit, hopelessness and an overall feeling of 'is this the end'. Death of one kind or another - be it literally, figuratively, or emotionally - has been at the center of our lives these past few years. But you must have death before you have resurrection and I feel the band is in its resurrection stage - a new hope, a new light and a rebirth.”

Kittie’s yet untitled album will be released March 2007.

KITTIE's Morgan Lander: "Starting A Clothing Line Has Always Been A Dream Of Ours"

The Setonian has issued the following report from Patricia Mui:

Ten years ago, while most teenagers were dreaming of cars and college, two girls from Canada were pursuing their dreams of making it in the music world.

It was at that time that singer/guitarist Morgan Lander and her younger sister, Mercedes, drummer, formed the all-female heavy metal Canadian band, KITTIE.

Kittie started their career with a sound that meshed glam rock and death metal, but it wasn’t long until they sported a harder sound in the vein of GODSMACK.

Their first album, Spit, debuted in 1999, which earned them a co-headlining spot on Ozzfest’s sidestage in 2000.

They released their sophomore album, Oracle, in 2001, which was followed by several lineup shifts.

In 2004, the changes continued while facing a lawsuit with their former record label, Artemis Records, but that did not stop the girls from releasing their third album, Until The End.

By 2006, Morgan and her sister had settled with two new bandmates, guitarist Tara McLeod and bassist Trish Doan. Fans have stated on various websites that this new formation is “creating the best sound for Kittie.”

Kittie completed recording their fourth full-length album in August at Retro Studio in Red Bank.

The album was produced by Jack Ponti, who has previously worked with BON JOVI, SKID ROW and ALICE COOPER.

“This album has about 14 tracks, which is the longest album we’ve made so far,” Morgan said. “The music flows better and it blends the heavy sounds with a touch of mellow.”

The album will be released in March 2007.

In addition to music, Morgan and Mercedes have a clothing line, Poisoned Black, as well as their own management company/record label, Kiss of Infamy.

“Starting a clothing line has always been a dream of ours,” Morgan said. “We’ve had the idea for years, but we were strapped with money and resources so the dream was put on hold for a while.”

“As for Kiss Of Infamy, we currently manage two Canadian bands, UNSENSORED and THINE EYES BLEED,” Morgan said.

The new album will hit radio stations nationwide around January 2007, so look forward to hearing it on WSOU 89.5.

KITTIE - New Songs Available For Streaming As Of December 1st

London, Ontario bashers KITTIE have issued the following update:

"At the beginning of every month we will be introducing new song clips on our MySpace media player! Check back on December 1st for your first listen to the first four songs off of our upcoming album, Funeral For Yesterday.

As previously reported, Kittoe will do a one-off gig in Peoria, IL on December 8th. It will take place at the Peoria Expo Garden.

Macabre Studios have uploaded a video for the title track from the forthcoming Kittie album, Funeral For Yesterday, online. Check out the 'Funeral For Yesterday' clip at this location.

Funeral For Yesterday will be released on February 20th via the band's label, Kiss Of Infamy.

BW&BK Exclusive: KITTIE Comment On Being Forced To Change Name Of Record Label By KISS

In a recent interview with BW&BK, KITTIE vocalist/guitarist Morgan Lander and drummer Mercedes Lander commented on being forced to change the name of their label, Kiss Of Infamy, after receiving a cease-and-desist letter from the attorneys representing Kiss Catalog Ltd., the owner of trademarks relating to KISS. Kittie eventually decided to go with the name X Of Infamy:

“It was disappointing because we liked the name of the label and it had meaning, as in sealing a pact with the devil," says Mercedes of the change, “but if Gene Simmons thinks that Kiss Of Infamy can be confused with Kiss, no big deal. At the end of the day we’re not going to make a big stink about it or take them to court (laughs). Gene Simmons actually owns the name ‘Kiss’ for all entertainment purposes, so no big deal, we changed the name to X Of Infamy because the ‘X’ is the universal symbol for ‘kiss’.”

Kittie is due to release their new full length studio album, Funeral For Yesterday, on February 20th. It's an independent venture, with everything done in-house under the X Of Infamy name.

“It’s strange, because officially making a label is really just putting a title on your work, which is what we’ve been doing for the past four or five years anyway," Morgan reveals. "We’ve always been a self-sufficient band. In the past we’ve paid for everything ourselves because no one else would do it, we’ve booked our own tours, we’ve overseen our merchandise, so this is nothing new. As it stands right now it’s been good. We’re the guinea pigs in this entire venture, so come February 20th we’ll be able to see whether or not it was successful. Is it worth it? Absolutely. Being in control of your career, being able to call the shots and not getting ripped off is an amazing feeling.”

As previously reported, audio samples from Funeral For Yesterday are available for streaming at Kittie's official MySpace page.

Watch for the full interview with Morgan and Mercedes in BW&BK #102

KITTIE - Three New Songs Available For Streaming

Canadian metallers KITTIE has posted three new tracks ('The Change', 'Slow Motion' and 'Witch Hunt') on their
MySpace page. The tracks are pulled from the band's upcoming album, Funeral For Yesterday, which is out in stores on February 20th through the band's own label, X Of Infamy.

Kittie a décidé de nous offrir de nouvelles chansons chaque semaine, et ce jusqu'à la sortie de l'album "Funeral Of Yesterday", le 20 février. Trois chansons, "The Change", "Slow Motion" et "Witch Hunt" se sont donc retrouvées sur la page MySpace des Canadiennes…



Allez vite checker tout ça sur le http://www.myspace.com/officialkittie

http://www.kittierocks.com

KITTIE - Tonight's Show In Allentown, PA Cancelled


KITTIE regret to announce that their show scheduled for tonight (February 14th) with WALLS OF JERICHO and 36 CRAZYFISTS at Crocodile Rock in Allentown, PA has been cancelled due to the severe weather in the Northeast USA. The snow and ice has caused immeasurable problems in transportation that is preventing the band from getting to the area. The ladies send their apologies to Allentown fans and will attempt to get back to the area as soon as possible. A definitive statement will be issued tomorrow concerning their ability to get to their February 15th Jacksonville, NC show.

KITTIE - New E-card Available, New Album Released Today



KITTIE have a new e-card available to coincide with the release of their new album, Funeral For Yesterday, which will be officially released today (February 20th) through X Of Infamy. Go to www.youllbegformercy.com to check it out.

As previously reported, a studio documentary on the recording sessions for Funeral For Yesterday is now available exclusively via iTunes. Click here to check it out.

KITTIE New Live Video Available

There is a new live performance video of KITTIE available for viewing at the Underground Video Television website. This live clip is for their song 'Mouthful Of Poison' which was filmed at Northern Lights in Clifton Park NY during the band’s tour with 36 CRAZYFISTS, WALLS OF JERICHO, DEAD TO FALL and IN THIS MOMENT. More live videos of Kittie are forthcoming from UVTV soon as well as all the bands that were on this tour.

KITTIE - New Live Material Available








There is another live performance video of KITTIE posted at the Underground Video Television website. This clip is for the track 'Red Flag' which was filmed at Northern Lights in Clifton Park NY during the band’s tour run earlier this year with WALLS OF JERICHO, 36 CRAZYFISTS, DEAD TO FALL and IN THIS MOMENT.

KITTIE Bassist Sidelined For Sweet Revenge Tour; THINE EYES BLEED's Jeff Phillips To Stand In

KITTIE regrets to announce that bassist Trish Doan will not be performing on their upcoming Sweet Revenge tour. Standing in for her on the tour will be Jeff Phillips from THINE EYES BLEED.

Doan has written a note to fans explaining the hiatus…

"Dear Kittie Fans,

Due to pressing personal health matters, I must sadly inform you that I will be taking a hiatus from touring with Kittie commencing immediately. With the complete and ongoing support from the band and management it is clear, as unfortunate it is, that these matters be addressed promptly.

I want to thank everyone for the tremendous support over these past two years.

It has been nothing but an amazing experience so far and this decision has been made to do what is best for everyone.

Sincerely, Trish Doan."

KITTIE - Two Songs From Woozyfly.com Sessions Available

On September 27th, Canuck metallers KITTIE recorded for www.Woozyfly.com's The Set at JSM Music in New York. Two songs - 'Witch Hunt' and 'Breathe' - are now posted at this location.

According to a press release, "WoozyFly is an online music media company devoted to independent music that has deconstructed the traditional model and is introducing a completely new approach to music. With the launch of its website, Woozyfly.com will enable fans to find great new music and for indie musicians to connect with fans."